Less than a week before his next court date on charges of child molestation, Michael Jackson said he had replaced his legal team because "my life is at stake".

Lawyers Mark Geragos and Benjamin Brafman "decided to step down" from representing the pop star, Brafman said on Sunday. He did not say what prompted the move. However, Jackson, 45, said he had decided to terminate their services.

Jackson did not give a specific reason for dismissing Brafman and Geragos. But he said: "It is imperative that I have the full attention of those who are representing me. My life is at stake."

Geragos is involved in another high-profile murder case. Thomas Mesereau is Jackson's new lawyer.